Hunter: I'm Really Not a Nen Exorcist - Chapter 7

In this world, information related to Nen is kept confidential.

As such, the general public knows nothing about Nen.

Even if they have witnessed Nen users displaying special powers, they’d simply regard them as psychics, mutants, or superheroes.

The various phenomena caused by malicious Nen have been attributed to ghosts or supernatural occurrences.

Moyu has no shadow.

If the woman were to notice this, she’d surely regard Moyu as some ghostly or supernatural being.

Footsteps echoed in the temple.

Facing the main entrance, Moyu took cautious steps back towards the courtyard. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the woman crawling on the ground.

Night, forest, monsters, and a panicked woman seeking refuge in the temple.

Such a scene had never played out in this sparsely visited tourist spot.

Not even instances of murders or accidental deaths had been heard of.

Yet, strangely enough, this occurred just one day after he had mastered Ten and awakened his Nen ability.

Was it a mere coincidence or something else?

Moyu pondered silently.

Had it not been for his Ten and “Soul Echo” that bolstered his confidence, he wouldn’t know how to deal with the current threat.

In the face of Nen, ordinary people truly stand powerless.

Now, provided he ensured a retreat route, he could perhaps use this so-called “monster” for practice.

Though referred to as a monster…

Although he couldn’t extract much information from the woman, judging by the scale and intensity of the aura, the opponent was likely a Nen user with basic knowledge.

Having made up his mind, Moyu retreated to the courtyard and paused, asking, “What’s your name?”

“Monica Hope.”

Lying on the ground, panting, the woman replied weakly.

“Monica, I need you to stay here and not move. Can you manage that?”

All the while, Moyu’s gaze never left the looming aura in the darkness.

From the entrance to the courtyard, the speed at which the aura approached had significantly increased, revealing a hint of aggression.

Before any contact, it was uncertain whether the owner of this aura was targeting Monica specifically or was simply an indiscriminate attacker driven by a desire to hunt and kill.

But whether it’s the former or the latter, he needs Monica to play the role of “bait”.

Making this decision didn’t burden him mentally, after all, the trouble was brought by Monica.

“What… you want me to stay here and not move?”

Monica stared at Moyu blankly, thinking she had misheard.

The chilling screams of her companions still echoed in her ears. How was staying still here any different from walking into the lion’s den?

“Yes.”

Moyu’s answer was succinct as he slowly turned his gaze to Monica.

From the moment the door opened to now, it was the first time he had truly looked at Monica’s face.

There really was only one choice.

Though Moyu hadn’t voiced his thoughts, Monica, whose will to survive was stronger than most, could read some vague hints from his unnaturally calm eyes.

Her mind raced at a pace she hadn’t experienced before.

Bait!

Monica immediately understood her value in this situation.

Either voluntarily stay as bait, assisting the young man in front of her to deal with the monster that harmed her companions, or refuse and watch as this boy abandons her, leaving her to stagger helplessly in the courtyard, waiting for death’s embrace.

There wasn’t really a choice…

Regaining her composure, Monica didn’t hesitate. She replied in an almost despairing tone, “Fine, I’ll stay here and not move.”

“You’re smart.”

Moyu looked deeply at Monica.

That will to survive, that desperation to cling even to a straw, wasn’t just a meaningless gesture.

In return, he would do his utmost to ensure Monica’s survival, as long as the situation allowed.

‘Your decision has been acknowledged by the observer, your Aura limit increases by +10%.’

As Moyu was about to turn off the unnecessary lights, a gender-neutral voice echoed in his consciousness.

As the last syllable of the voice faded away, Moyu could distinctly feel the aura emanating from him had increased.

“Was it because of the decision?”

Moyu’s expression shifted.

The first time, it was because his outstanding appearance pleased the observer. The second was due to his decisive choice to use Monica as bait in the courtyard, which the observer acknowledged.

What exactly is this “observer”?

Moyu paused, the step he was about to take halted.

He thought of the strange calamities from beyond the world’s map and another answer he subconsciously rejected.

The current situation didn’t allow for deeper contemplation, but one thing was clear:

The existence of the observer was beneficial to him.

Setting these thoughts aside momentarily, Moyu swiftly turned off the unnecessary lights within the temple.

In just a short time, aside from the courtyard where Monica was, the rest of the temple was plunged into darkness.

The sole remaining light shone like a spotlight on a stage, focusing on the vulnerable Monica.

Meanwhile, Moyu concealed himself in a dark corner, patiently waiting for the approaching aura.

Soon after,

Footsteps resonated from outside the temple’s grand door, first stepping onto the stairway, then crossing the threshold—

Surprisingly, they made their entrance without any attempt at stealth.

From his corner, Moyu’s pupils slightly constricted.

In this ink-like night, the luminescence of Nen was as conspicuous as the moon.

This meant—

If Moyu, from the doorway, could see the figure shrouded in night, then the latter could naturally see Moyu standing at the door as well.

So, even though they knew there was a Nen user here, they chose to enter directly from the main entrance.

Was it sheer confidence from their profound skills? Or were they an Enhancer, skilled in both offense and defense, preferring a direct confrontation?

Moyu’s thoughts raced.

Moments later, the footsteps grew nearer.

Finally, a figure radiating aura stepped into the courtyard, heading straight for Monica, seemingly oblivious to Moyu’s presence.

But there was no way Moyu would naively believe that the intruder hadn’t detected him.

Monica, who was curled up in the center of the courtyard, began to shake with terror.

From his concealed position in the darkness, Moyu silently observed the newcomer.

The man was tall and drenched in blood. With every step, he left bloody footprints on the ground.

Presumably, the blood smeared on him belonged to Monica’s companions.

However, more than the vast amount of blood, what piqued Moyu’s interest was…

The aura emanating from the man was different from what he had observed earlier— it was noticeably more abundant and potent.

This was enough to conclude—

The man was indeed aware of the presence of another Nen user and had thus braced himself for a potential encounter.